Backpacks and related methods

ABSTRACT

Backpacks for carrying one or more items therein and related methods are provided. The backpack can include an outer shell forming a bottom and a top and front, back and side walls with the outer shell defining an interior space. The backpack also can include a divider extendable between the front wall and the back wall of the outer shell to form a shelf between the top and bottom of the outer shell. When the divider is extended between the front wall and the back wall, a first storage compartment is formed between the bottom of the outer shell and the shelf and a second compartment is formed between the shelf and the top of the outer shell. The divider can be detachably secured between the front wall and the back wall so that one or more books are supportable by the shelf formed by the divider.

RELATED APPLICATION

The presently disclosed subject matter claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/524,114, filed Aug. 16, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to backpacks for carrying items on the back of a user and related methods of using the same. More particularly, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to backpacks that are used for carrying books closer to the body of the user than conventional book bags and related methods for using the same.

BACKGROUND

For students of today, a book bag is an essential piece of equipment for transporting books and papers back and forth between class and home. The amount of homework and the need for access to the textbooks used to teach the students requires that a plurality of books are carried in a student's book bag at any given time These book bags have not changed much over at least the last 25 years. The dimensions of most book bags currently available are wider at the bottom, or bottom portion, and decrease in width as the top, or top portion, of the book bag as the top is approached. Similarly, most book bags currently available have a greater thickness at the bottom than the thickness at the top of the book bag as the top is approached. For example, a typical book bag may have a bottom width of about 13 inches at the base of a book bag where the books are placed and a width of about 6 inches at the top of the book bag which normally does not house books therein. Such a book bag may have a thickness of roughly about 8 inches at the bottom where the books are placed and, about 6 inches at the top. Such a book bag can have a height of about 18 inches which allows the books to generally occupy the bottom, or lower portion, of the book bag while leaving the top, or upper portion, of the book bag unoccupied.

If a student carries books in most book bags that are currently available, all the books are placed in the bottom portion of the respective book bag. For example, if a student carries six books in a normal book bag, all six books would be placed along the bottom, for instance, in an alignment where the books face each other cover to cover. The six books extend the thickness of the bag in its bottom portion and are carried down by the lower back of the user wearing the book bag. These books, being placed all in a row, extend outward from the lower back with the outer books creating a greater moment of force, based on the distance at which these books are located from the lower back of the user, and thus a greater force on the back, shoulders and lower back of the user. Thereby, the back of the user that wears such a conventional book bag is placed under greater stress than just by the weight of the books alone. Accordingly, there remains room for variation and improvement within the art of book bags and backpacks that will reduce the stress on a wearer's back.

SUMMARY

In accordance with this disclosure, the present subject matter provides backpacks for carrying items on the back of a user and related methods of using the same. More particularly, it is an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present subject matter to provide backpacks that are used to carry books closer to the body of the user than conventional book bags and related methods for using the same.

Some of the objects of the subject matter disclosed herein having been stated hereinabove, and which are achieved in whole or in part by the presently disclosed subject matter, other objects will become evident as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings as best described hereinbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the present subject matter will be more readily understood from the following detailed description which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that are given merely by way of explanatory and non-limiting example, and in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a front side perspective view of an embodiment of a backpack for carrying items on the back of a user according to the subject matter disclosed herein;

FIGS. 1B illustrates a back side perspective view of the embodiment of the backpack shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top side perspective view of the embodiment of the backpack shown in FIG. 1A with a closable opening along a top portion opened to show an interior space of the backpack;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate schematic side plan views of a portion of an interior of the embodiment of the backpack shown in FIG. 1A illustrating how an upper and lower storage compartment can be formed in the backpack;

FIG. 4A illustrates a side plan view of the embodiment of the backpack shown in FIG. 1A having a side wall flap that is in a closed position;

FIG. 4B illustrates a close-up side plan view of a portion of the embodiment of the backpack shown in FIGS. 1A and 4A with the side wall flap in an open position and books stored in a lower storage compartment of the backpack;

FIG. 5 illustrates a top side perspective view of another embodiment of a backpack for carrying items on the back of a user according to the subject matter disclosed herein with a closable opening along a top and side portions opened to show an interior space of the backpack; and

FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D illustrate schematic side views of portions of embodiments of fasteners that can be used to hold and/or stabilize a divider in position to form upper and lower storage compartments in an embodiment of a backpack according to the subject matter disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to possible aspects or embodiments of the subject matter herein, one or more examples of which are shown in the figures. Each example is provided to explain the subject matter and not as a limitation. In fact, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used in another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is intended that the subject matter disclosed and envisioned herein covers such modifications and variations.

Although the terms first, second, top, bottom, upper, lower, etc. may be used herein to describe various features, elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these features, elements components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one feature, element, component, region, layer or section from another feature, element, component, region, layer or section and, in some instances, to provide a relative relationship between the features, elements, components, regions, layers or sections. Thus, a first feature, element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second feature, element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the disclosure herein. Similarly, a top or upper feature, element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a bottom or lower feature, element, component, region, layer or section depending on their relative orientation without departing from the teachings of the disclosure herein.

Embodiments of the subject matter of the disclosure are described herein with reference to schematic illustrations of embodiments that may be idealized. As such, variations from the shapes and/or positions of features, elements or components within the illustrations as a result of, for example but not limited to, user preferences, manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances are expected. Shapes, sizes and/or positions of features, elements or components illustrated in the figures may also be magnified, minimized, exaggerated, shifted or simplified to facilitate explanation of the subject matter disclosed herein. Thus, the features, elements or components illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes and/or positions are not intended to illustrate the precise configuration of a system or apparatus and are not intended to limit the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein.

The present subject matter discloses backpacks for carrying items and related methods for configuring such backpacks. A backpack configured for carrying items therein on the back of a user can comprise an outer shell forming a front wall, a back wall, opposing side walls, a bottom and a top. The front wall, the back wall, the opposing side walls, the bottom and the top of the outer shell can define an interior space of the outer shell.

The backpack can comprise straps that can be attached to the outer shell and extend over an exterior of the back wall. Each strap can create an opening through which a user can place an arm so that the backpack can be carried on the back of a user. Each strap can comprise padding and an adjustment buckle to increase the comfort level for the user of the backpack. One or both straps can have a pocket thereon that can be closable. The pocket can be used to carry small items, such as pens, pencils, erasers, candy bars, nail clippers, or the like. The straps can be made thicker than normal book bags to provide additional comfort on the shoulders of the user. Additionally, the strap can be attached at the very bottom of the backpack in order to force the backpack to ride higher on the user and the weight within the backpack to be carried more on the user's shoulders.

The backpack can also comprise a divider that can be extended between the front wall and the back wall of the outer shell to form a shelf between the top and bottom of the outer shell. When the divider is extended between the front wall and the back wall, a first storage compartment is formed between the bottom of the outer shell and the shelf and a second storage compartment is formed between the shelf and the top of the outer shell. The divider can be detachably secured between the front wall and the back wall so that one or more items are supportable by the shelf formed by the divider.

One or more fasteners can be used to detachably secure the divider between the front wall and the back wall. Each fastener can have a first fastener portion attached to the divider and a second fastener portion attached to at least one of the front wall, the back wall or the opposing side walls. The first fastener portion can engage the second fastener portion to secure the divider between the front wall and the back wall. The fasteners can comprise different types of fasteners. For example, the fasteners can be one or more hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buckles and straps, latches and hooks or loops, clips, buttons or the like.

In some embodiments, the divider can be detachably secured to both the front wall and the back wall. In some embodiments, the divider can fixedly attached to one of the front wall or the back wall and can be detachably secured to the other of the front wall or back wall. For example, the divider can be sewn to the front wall to fixedly attach the divider thereto and can be detachably secured to the back wall. In some such embodiments, a fastener for detachably securing the divider to the back wall can comprise a hook and loop fastener with a first portion of the hook and loop fastener attached to the divider extending along at least a portion of a width of the divider and a second portion of the hook and loop fastener attached to the back wall extending along at least a portion of a width of the back wall. In some embodiments, the fasteners can have a first fastener portion attached to the divider and a second fastener portion attached to at least one of the opposing side walls. In such embodiments, the first fastener portion can engage the second fastener portion to secure the divider in an extended position between the front wail and the back wall.

In some embodiments, the backpack can comprise a closable opening that can extend along the top of the outer shell that provides access to the interior space when the opening is in an open position. In some such embodiments, the closable opening can extend along an upper portion of the opposing side walls to provide access to the interior space and to the second storage compartment between the shelf formed by the divider and the top of the outer shell when the divider is secured between the front and back walls.

In some embodiments, the backpack can comprise a flap formed in at least one of the opposing side walls between the top and the bottom of the outer shell. The flap can opened to provide access to the interior space of the outer shell and can be closed to limit access to the interior space of the outer shell. In some such embodiments, the flap can be formed in a lower portion of one of the opposing side walls adjacent the bottom of the outer shell to provide access to the interior space and to the first storage compartment between the bottom of the outer shell and the shelf formed by the divider when the divider is secured between the front and back walls.

In some embodiments, the backpack can comprise one or more pockets secured to at least one of the front, back or side walls. For example, one or more pockets can be secured to an exterior of the front wall. Such pockets can be securably closable, for example, by a fastener, such as a zipper, buttons, snaps, or the like. Similarly, pockets can be secured to one or both of the opposing side walls. As stated above, in some embodiments, pockets can also be attached to the outer portion of a padded strap. In some embodiments, the backpack can comprise one or more pockets formed on an interior of at least one of the front, back or side walls.

In some embodiments, the backpack configured for carrying books therein on the back of a user can comprise an outer shell forming a front wall, a back wall, opposing side walls, a bottom and a top such that the backpack can have a uniform width between the front wall and back wall. The front wall, back wall, opposing side walls, bottom and top can define an interior space of the backpack. As above, the backpack can comprise straps that can be attached the outer shell and extend over an exterior of the back wall. Each strap can create an opening through which a user can place an arm so that the backpack can be carried on the back of a user. Each strap can comprise padding and an adjustment buckle to increase the comfort level for the user of the backpack. The backpack also can comprise a divider that can be extended between the front wall and the back wall of the outer shell to form a shelf between the top and bottom of the outer shell. When the divider is in an extended position between the front and back walls, a lower storage compartment can be formed between the bottom of the outer shell and the shelf and an upper storage compartment can be formed between the shelf and the top of the outer shell. The divider can be detachably secured between the front wall and the back wall so that one or more books are supportable by the shelf formed by the divider. In such embodiments, a closable opening can be formed along the top of outer shell and along an upper portion of the opposing side walls to provide access to the interior space and to the upper storage compartment between the shelf formed by the divider and the top of the outer shell when the divider is secured between the front and back walls. Also, a flap can be formed in a lower portion of one of the opposing side walls adjacent the bottom of the outer shell to provide access to the interior space and to the lower storage compartment between the bottom of the outer shell and the shelf formed by the divider when the divider is secured between the front and back walls.

Accordingly, a method is provided of configuring a backpack for carrying items therein on the back of a user. The method can comprise providing a backpack that has an outer shell forming a front wall, a back wall, opposing side walls, a bottom and a top, and an interior space. The backpack can also have a divider that can be extended between the front wall and the back wall of the outer shell. The method can further comprise detachably securing the divider between the front wall and the back wall to form a shelf between the top and bottom of the outer shell and thereby forming a first storage compartment between the bottom of the outer shell and the shelf and a second storage compartment between the shelf and the top of the outer shell. The method can also comprise forming a closable opening that extends along the top of outer shell and along an upper portion of the opposing side walls to provide access to the interior space and to the second storage compartment between the shelf formed by the divider and the top of the outer shell when the divider is secured between the front and back walls. Similarly, the method can comprise forming a flap in a lower portion of one of the opposing side walls adjacent the bottom of the outer shell to provide access to the interior space and to the first storage compartment between the bottom of the outer shell and the shelf formed by the divider when the divider is secured between the front and back walls.

FIGS. 1A through 4B illustrate an embodiment of a backpack, generally designated 10, for carrying items, such as books, therein on the back of a user. In FIG. 1A, the front of backpack 10 is shown which faces outward from the body of the user, or wearer, when in use. The back of backpack 10 is shown in FIG. 1B that faces the body of the wearer when backpack 10 is being used. Backpack 10 can generally comprise deformable material, such as sturdy fabric and padding found in conventional backpacks. Backpack 10 can comprise an outer shell, generally designated 12, that forms an interior space 14 (see FIGS. 2, 3A and 3B) in which a user, such as a student, can place items, such as books in backpack 10. Outer shell 12 can comprise a front wall 16, a back wall 18, and a first opposing side wall 20A and a second opposing side wall 20B. Outer shell 12 can further comprise a bottom portion, or bottom, 22 and a top portion, or top, 24. Front wall 16, back wall 18, opposing side walls 20A, 20B, bottom 22 and top 22 of outer shell 12 can define interior space 14 of outer shell 12.

In some embodiments, opposing side walls 20A, 20B and top 24 can comprise the same material, such as a unitary piece of sturdy fabric with other pieces of fabric or padding or other features added as needed or desired. Bottom 22 can comprise the same or different material as needed or desired as well. Bottom 22 can comprise a reinforced and/or padded fabric material since backpack 10 usually rests on bottom 22. Back wall 18 can also comprise padding to help improve comfort for the user as the user wears backpack 10, especially when weighted down by items carried within backpack 10, such as Books B_(U), B_(L) as shown in FIG. 3B.

As shown in FIGS. 1B, 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B, backpack 10 can comprise straps 26 that can be attached outer shell 12. Straps 26 can extend over an exterior 18E of back wall 18 (see FIG. 1B). Each strap 26 can hang loosely from outer shell 12 can be pulled away from back wall 18 to create an opening through which a user can place an arm so that backpack 10 can be carried on the back of a user. Each strap 26 can comprise a padded section 26A and an adjustment buckle 26B (see FIG. 1 B) to increase the comfort level for the user of the backpack. Adjustment buckles 26B allow straps 26 to be adjusted based on the size of the user and the size of the load carried in backpack 10. Backpack 10 can additionally comprise a handle 28 positioned at or near top 24 to permit backpack 10 to be carried by hand.

Backpack can also comprise a closable opening 30 as shown in FIGS. 2-4B that can extend along top 24 of outer shell 12. Closable opening 30 can provide access to interior space 14 when closable opening 30 is, in an open position as shown in FIG. 2. Additionally, closable opening 30 can limit or prevent access therethrough to interior space 14 when closable opening 30 is in a closed position as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Closable opening 30 can be closed and held tightly closed by a fastener, such as a zipper 32 that can include a slide body, a pull tab and opposing teeth. Other types of fasteners, such as buttons, snaps, or the like, can be used to close closable opening 30. Closable opening 30 can be opened to permit items, such as books B_(U), B_(L), to be inserted into interior space 14 of outer shell 12. Further, closable opening 30 permit items, such as books B_(U), B_(L), to be accessed and retrieved from interior space 14 of outer shell 12. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4A, and 4B, closable opening 30 can extend along top 24 and an upper portion of opposing side walls 20A, 20B to provide easier access to interior space 14 of outer shell 12.

To help balance the weight of the items carried in backpack 10 and to reduce the amount of force created by having a large number of items, such as books, extending outward along bottom 22, backpack 10 can also comprise a divider 40 that can be extended between front wall 16 and back wall 18 of outer shell 12. Divider 40 can form a shelf 42 between top 24 and bottom 22 of outer shell 12 on which items such as books B_(U) can be stacked. As shown in FIG. 3B, when divider 40 is extended between front wall 16 and back wall 18, a first storage compartment, or lower storage compartment, 14A is formed between bottom 22 of outer shell 12 and shelf 42 formed by divider 40. Further, a second storage compartment, or upper storage compartment, 14B is formed between shelf 42 and top 24 of outer shell 12. Divider 40 can comprise a deformable material. In some embodiments, divider 40 can comprise a more rigid material. For example, a piece of rigid plastic, such as a flat piece of high density polypropylene can be included in divider 40. In some embodiments, divider 40 can comprise more deformable material, such as a foam material covered by fabric.

Divider 40 can be detachably secured between front wall 16 and back wall 18 so that one or more items, such as books B_(U), are supportable by shelf 42 formed by divider 40. One or more fasteners such as fasteners 44, 46 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, can be used to detachably secure divider 40 between front wall 16 and back wall 18. Each fastener 44, 46 can have a first fastener portion attached to divider 40 and a second fastener portion attached to at least one of front wall 16, back wall 18, or opposing side walls 20A, 20B. The first fastener portion of each fastener can engage the second fastener portion to secure divider 40 in an extended position between front wall 16 and back wall 18.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, divider 40 can be fixedly attached at end 48 to front wall 40 and can be detachably secured to back wall 18 by one or more fasteners 44, 46. In particular, fastener 44 comprises a hook and loop fastener, such as hook and loop fasteners sold under the trademark VELCRO. A first portion 44A of hook and loop fastener 44, such as the loop portion, can be attached to divider 40 so that first portion 44A extends along at least a portion of a width of divider 40 that generally runs from first opposing side wall 20A to second opposing side wall 20B. A second portion 44B of hook and loop fastener 44, such as the hook portion, can be attached to back wall 18, so that second portion 44B extends along at least a portion of a width of back wall 18 that generally runs from first opposing side wall 20A to second opposing side wall 20B. Thus, as divider 40 is moved from a position of detachment from back wall 18 as in FIG. 3A to a secured extended position where divider 40 is secured to back wall 18 as shown in FIG. 3B, first portion 44A of hook and loop fastener 44 securely engages second portion 44B of hook and loop fastener 44. In some embodiments, to help hold divider 40 in the position where it is detached from back wall 18, a third portion 44C, such as another hook portion, of a hook and loop fastener can be placed, or fixedly attached, along front wall 16 and can be engaged by first portion 44A of hook and loop fastener 44 to hold divider 40 up (or down) as shown in FIG. 3A to allow back pack 10 to carry items that are larger than either first storage compartment 14A or second storage compartment 14B.

Further to help ensure securerment of divider 40 to back wall 18, a fastener 46 can be used on each side of divider 40 as shown in FIG. 2. Each fastener 46 as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, can comprise a first portion, such as latch 46A, and a second portion, such as a closed hook or loop 46B, that can engage each other to further ensure that divider 40 is secure in its position extending between front wall 16 and back wall 18 to form a sturdy shelf 42 that can hold heavy items, such as books B_(U), thereon. Thus, backpack 10 with shelf 42 formed by divider 40 allows items, such as books B_(U), to be stacked above other items, such as books B_(L), so that more of the weight of books B_(U), B_(L), is carried closer to the user's back so that less force is placed on the user's lower back than in conventional book bags or backpacks where such books would be stacked in a row and extend further outward from the user's back.

The use of backpack 10 with divider 40 that creates shelf 42 within the interior of backpack 10 in combination with straps 26 and their placement on backpack 10 can facilitate the carrying of books B_(U), B_(L) closer to the user's back and higher to the user's shoulders. Thereby, backpack 10 can better distribute the weight of books B_(U), B_(L). This distribution can make the load of books B_(U), B_(L) feel lighter to the user and more ergonomically correct for the user's back by avoiding overstraining the lower back.

As shown in FIG. 2, closable opening 30 can extend along top 24 and the upper portion of opposing side walls 20A, 20B to provide easier access to interior space 14 of outer shell 12. In particular, when divider 40 is secured between front wall 16 and back wall 18, closable opening 30 can provide easy access to second storage compartment 14B between shelf 42 formed by divider 40 and top 24 of outer shell 12. When divider 40 is detached from back wall 18, closable opening 30 can provide easy access to bottom 22 of backpack 10.

Also, backpack 10 can comprise a closable flap 50 formed in at least one of opposing side walls 20A, 20B between top 24 and bottom 22 of outer shell 12. Flap 50 can opened to provide access to interior space 14 of outer shell 12 and can be closed to limit access to interior space 14 of outer shell 12. For example, flap 50 can have a fastener, or fastener system, 52 as mentioned above with respect to closable opening 30, such as a zipper. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, flap 50 can be formed in a lower portion of opposing side wall 20A adjacent bottom 22 of outer shell 12 to provide access to interior space 14 and, in particular, to first, or lower, storage compartment 14A between bottom 22 of outer shell 12 and shelf 42 formed by divider 40 when divider 40 is secured between front wall 16 and back wall 18. In this manner, books B_(L), or other items, in first, or lower, storage compartment 14A can be accessed through the opening of flap 50 without the need to disturb the books B_(U) (see FIG. 3B) or other items, in second, or upper, storage compartment 14B.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, first storage compartment 14A can have a height as measured between bottom 22 of outer shell 12 and shelf 42 formed by divider 40 and second storage compartment 14B can have a height as measured between shelf 42 formed by divider 40 and top 24 of outer shell 12 that permit the insertion of most books, such as standard text books used in colleges and high schools, into the storage compartments 14A, 14B without fear of the pages, spines, or covers of lower books B_(L) being crushed or damaged by the weight of upper books B_(U). However, if a book or an item is too tall or large for a single storage compartment, divider 40 can be detached from back wall 18, as described above, and the entire interior space 14 can be used to carry the large item or book.

As shown in FIGS. 1A, 3A and 3B, backpack 10 can comprise one or more pockets 54, 56, 58, 59 secured to or in at least one of the front, back or side walls. Different types of pockets can be used on the exterior and interior of backpack 10. For example, one or more pockets 54, 56 can be secured to an exterior 16E of front wall 16. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, pocket 54 can comprise a front wall 54A, bottom wall 54B, top wall 54C and side walls (not identified). Similar, pocket 56 can comprise a front wall 56A, bottom wall 56B, top wall 56C and side walls (not identified). Pocket 54 can have a closable opening 54D and pocket 56 can have a closable opening 56D, both of which can be closed using a fastener such as zippers or hook and loop fasteners. The fasteners used on closable openings 540, 560 can also be other types of fasteners described herein, such as buttons snaps, or the like. As shown, pocket 54 can be, for example, about 5 inches long and about 6 inches tall and can be used to carry items such as a calculator, cell phone, keys, or the like. Pocket 56 can have closable opening 56D extend from top wall 56C along a side wall to bottom wall 56B and can be used to store larger items. In some embodiments, a long horizontal pocket for pens, pencils, erasers, or the like can be included on front wall 16, straps 26 or side walls 20A, 20B, such as pocket 59 on side wall 20B. Other shapes and sizes of pockets can also be used.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, backpack 10 can also comprise one or more pockets 58 formed on an interior of at least one of the front, back or side walls. For example, pocket 58 is formed in back wall 18 with a closable opening 58A. Pocket 58 can run along a majority of back wall 18. For instance, pocket 58 can be about 10 inches wide and about 13 inches long and can be used to hold folders, papers, brochures, pamphlets, class handouts, or the like.

In FIG. 5, an embodiment of a backpack, generally designated 60, is provided in which like refer numerals represent like features of previously described embodiments. Backpack 60 can comprise an outer shell 62. Backpack 60 can also comprise a divider 70 that can be detachably secured to both a front wall 16 and back wall 18. For example, four fasteners 66 can be used to secure divider 70 to front wall 16 and back wall 18 in interior space 14 to form a shelf 72. In particular, each one of the fasteners 66 can have a first fastener portion attached to divider 70 and a second fastener portion attached to at least one of opposing side walls 64A, 64B. In such embodiments, the first fastener portion can engage the second fastener portion to secure divider 70 in an extended position between front wall 16 and back wall 18. Other fasteners, such as hook and loop fasteners can be used in addition to four fasteners 66. In the embodiment shown, a closable opening 74 can extend along side walls 64A, 64B and through top 24 of outer shell 62 and can provide access to an upper storage compartment and a lower storage compartment.

As shown in FIGS. 6A-6D as examples, different types of fasteners can be used in different capacities within the backpacks described herein. In addition to the hook and loop fasteners and zippers described above, a latch and hook fastener 80 can be used that can comprise a latch 80A and closed hook, or single loop, 80B as shown in FIG. 6A. Similarly, FIG. 6B illustrates a clip and loop fastener 82 that can comprise a resiliently closable clip 82A and a loop 82B to which clip 82A can be hooked. FIG. 6C illustrates a snap fastener 84 that can comprise a male snap portion 84A (only the back of male snap portion 84A is shown) and a female snap portion 84B that can be snapped together. Further, FIG. 6D illustrates a buckle fastener 86 that can comprise a buckle 86A and a strap 86B that can be inserted within buckle 86A. These example fasteners along with the other fasteners described herein illustrate that a wide variety of fasteners can be used in various ways within the different embodiments of the backpacks described herein. Thus, the present subject matter should not be limited to the types of the fasteners disclosed herein.

Thus, through the embodiments of the backpacks shown and described herein, a user can more comfortably carry a heavier load, such as a large amount of books with less stress on the user's shoulders and back. By keeping more of the weight of the load closer to the user's back, less force is placed on the user's back than if the same amount of load was stacked in a single file row outward from the user's back. In some embodiments as described, the detachably securable divider can form a shelf that creates the stacked storage compartments that permit the stacking of items, such as books, being carried. In some embodiments, different flaps and our closable openings in walls of the backpack allow for easy access to the books, or other items, stored within the backpacks.

The present subject matter can be embodied in other forms without departure from the spirit and essential characteristics thereof. The embodiments described therefore are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Although the present subject matter has been described in terms of certain embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of the present subject matter. 

1. A backpack configured for carrying items therein on the back of a user, the backpack comprising: an outer shell forming a front wall, a back wall, opposing side walls, a bottom and a top, the outer shell defining an interior space; and a divider extendable between the front wall and the back wall of the outer shell to form a shelf between the top and bottom of the outer shell and a first storage compartment between the bottom of the outer shell and the shelf and a second storage compartment between the shelf and the top of the outer shell, the divider being detachably securable between the front wall and the back wall so that one or more items are supportable by the shelf formed by the divider.
 2. The backpack according to claim 1, wherein the divider is fixedly attached to the front wall and the divider is detachably securable to the back wall.
 3. The backpack according to claim 1, further comprising one or more fasteners, each fastener having a first fastener portion attached to the divider and a second fastener portion attached to at least one of the front wall, the back wall or the opposing side walls, the first fastener portion engagable with the second fastener portion to secure the divider between the front wall and the back wall.
 4. The backpack according to claim 3, wherein the one or more fasteners comprises a hook and loop fastener with a first portion of the hook and loop fastener attached to the divider extending along at least a portion of a width of the divider and a second portion of the hook and loop fastener attached to the back wall extending along at least a portion of a width of the back wall.
 5. The backpack according to claim 1, further comprises straps attached to the outer shell that extend over an exterior of the back wall, each strap capable of forming an opening through which a user can place an arm so that the backpack can be carried on the back of a user.
 6. The backpack according to claim 1, further comprising one or more fasteners, each fastener having a first fastener portion attached to the divider and a second fastener portion attached to at least one of the opposing side walls, the first fastener portion engagable with the second fastener portion to secure the divider in an extended position between the front wall and the back wall.
 7. The backpack according to claim 1, further comprising a closable opening that extends along the top of the outer shell and provides access to the interior space when the opening is in an open position.
 8. The backpack according to claim 7, wherein the closable opening extends along an upper portion of the opposing side walls and the top of the outer shell to provide access to the interior space and to the second storage compartment between the shelf formed by the divider and the top of the outer shell when the divider is secured between the front and back walls.
 9. The backpack according to claim 1, further comprising a flap formed in at least one of opposing side walls between the top and the bottom of the outer shell, the flap being openable to provide access to the interior space of the outer shell and closable to limit access to the interior space of the outer shell.
 10. The backpack according to claim 9, wherein the flap is formed in a lower portion of one of the opposing side walls adjacent the bottom of the outer shell to provide access to the interior space and to the first storage compartment between the bottom of the outer shell and the shelf formed by the divider when the divider is secured between the front and back walls.
 11. The backpack according to claim 1, wherein the divider is detachably securable to the front wall and the back wall.
 12. The backpack according to claim 1, further comprising one or more pockets secured to at least one of the front, back or side walls.
 13. A backpack configured for carrying books therein on the back of a user, the backpack comprising: an outer shell forming a front wall, a back wall, opposing side walls, a bottom and a top, the front wall, back wall, opposing side walls, bottom and top defining an interior space; straps attached to the outer shell and extending over an exterior of the back wall of the outer shell; a divider extendable between the front wall and the back wall of the outer shell to form a shelf between the top and bottom of the outer shell and a lower storage compartment between the bottom of the outer shell and the shelf and an upper storage compartment between the shelf and the top of the outer shell, the divider being detachably securable between the front wall and the back wall so that one or more books are supportable by the shelf formed by the divider; a closable opening that extends along the top of outer shell and along an upper portion of the opposing side walls to provide access to the interior space and to the upper storage compartment between the shelf formed by the divider and the top of the outer shell when the divider is secured between the front and back walls; and a flap formed in a lower portion of one of the opposing side walls adjacent the bottom of the outer shell to provide access to the interior space and to the lower storage compartment between the bottom of the outer shell and the shelf formed by the divider when the divider is secured between the front and back walls.
 14. The backpack according to claim 13, wherein the divider is fixedly attached to the front wall and the divider is detachably securable to the back wall.
 15. The backpack according to claim 14, further comprising one or more fasteners, each fastener having a first fastener portion attached to the divider and a second fastener portion attached to the back wall, the first fastener portion engagable with the second fastener portion to secure the divider to the back, wall.
 16. The backpack according to claim 15, wherein the one or more fasteners comprises a hook and loop fastener with a first portion of the hook and loop fastener attached to the divider extending along at least a portion of a width of the divider and a second portion of the hook and loop fastener attached to the back wall extending along at least a portion of a width of the back wall.
 17. The backpack according to claim 13, wherein the divider is detachably securable to the front wall and the back wall.
 18. A method of configuring a backpack for carrying items therein on the back of a user, the method comprising: providing a backpack comprising: an outer shell forming a front wall, a back wall, opposing side walls, a bottom and a top, the outer shell defining an interior space; and a divider extendable between the front wall and the back wall of the outer shell; and detachably securing the divider between the front wall and the back wall to form a shelf between the top and bottom of the outer shell and a first storage compartment between the bottom of the outer shell and the shelf and a second storage compartment between the shelf and the top of the outer shell.
 19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising forming a closable opening that extends along the top of outer shell and along an upper portion of the opposing side walls to provide access to the interior space and to the upper storage compartment between the shelf formed by the divider and the top of the outer shell when the divider is secured between the front and back walls.
 20. The method according to claim 18, further comprising forming a flap in a lower portion of one of the opposing side walls adjacent the bottom of the outer shell to provide access to the interior space and to the lower storage compartment between the bottom of the outer shell and the shelf formed by the divider when the divider is secured between the front and back walls. 